#LookBack2014: Major Car Facelifts Launched in 2014

In 2014, Indian auto sector witnessed some of the major new car launches in the form of Maruti Suzuki Celerio, Next gen Alto K10, Maruti Suzuki Ciaz, Tata Zest, all new Mahindra Scorpio and many more (Read the complete list here). Apart from these new launches, manufacturers also introduced facelifts or updated version of their existing models. Some of the important name includes Volkswagen’s Polo & Vento, Toyota’s Etios & Etios Liva, Ford’s Fiesta & Figo along with the most eagerly awaited facelifted Swift and others. The automakers in order to entice their customers also introduced limited and special variants of their best selling vehicles. Let’s dig deep to find out more on the facelifts launched in 2014.

Renault Fluence, Duster AWD and Koleos

Renault India launched the updated Fluence at Rs 13.99 lac and the Duster AWD (All-Wheel-Drive) at Rs 11.89 lac. Fluence being pitched in D1 segment competes with the likes of Skoda Octavia, Hyundai Verna and Chevrolet Cruze while the Duster AWD is pitched against Tata Safari 4x4 and Mahindra Scorpio 4WD (Available in S4 and S10 trims). The company also launched the Koleos facelift at Rs 22.33 lac in the early 2014 and keys of the first model was handed to Bollywood Actor Salman Khan.

Skoda Superb, Rapid and Yeti

Skoda in its launch spree introduced the Superb facelift at the gala event of Delhi Auto Expo and launched the updated Yeti and Rapid in following months. The D2 segment saloon Superb was launched at an ex-showroom price of Rs 18.87 lac while the C Segment sedan Rapid was introduced at Rs 7.22 lac and SUV Yeti at Rs 18.63 lac. 

Ford Endeavour, Fiesta and Figo

The American manufacturer Ford introduces the refreshed version of Figo hatch with minute and subtle changes. Priced at Rs 3.97 lac, the car is equipped with Wi-Fi package, Blue LED cabin illumination, black vinyl seat covers, new function in DIS (Driver Information System). The automaker also launched the facelift version of its long SUV Endeavour at Rs 19.83 lac. The SUV embraces 2.5-litre Duratorq engine and a 5-speed manual transmission in 4x2 MT model and 3.0-litre Duratorq engine with 5-speed automatic transmission in 4x2 AT and 4x4 AT. The automaker also launched the 2014 Fiesta at a base price of Rs 7.69 lac. The C segment car is only offered with diesel motor having three variants - Ambiente, Trend and Titanium. The existing 1.5 liter TDCi turbo diesel engine is on duty under the hood and delivers amazing fuel efficiency of 25.01kmpl.

Volkswagen Polo and Vento

Volkswagen India launched the much-awaited 2014 Polo facelift at Rs 4.99 lac. This was the first refreshment given to the premium hatch since its Indian debut about five years back. The automaker in the festive month of September rolled out the facelift version of Vento at Rs 7.44 lac. The biggest change in the updated Vento is inclusion of 1.5-litre TDi diesel engine which replaces the bigger 1.6-litre engine. The fuel efficient diesel engine is offered with both 5- speed manual transmission while the petrol model is offered with segment-first 7-speed DSG (dual-shift) automatic gearbox. 

Toyota Etios and Etios Liva

The Japanese manufacturer to boost the sales of its Etios family introduced the refreshed version of both the sedan and hatchback. The facelifted Etios sedan starts at Rs 5.74 lac while the Etios Liva hatch is priced at Rs 4.76 lac. With changes strictly remained cosmetic, the cars are unaltered mechanically. New Etios and Etios Liva comes with added comfort features and dual-front SRS airbags are now standard across the range.

Chevrolet Beat, Sail Sedan and Sail Hatchback

At the 2014 Indian Auto Expo, Chevrolet launched the Beat facelift at Rs.4.06 lac. The upgrades are mainly focused over its exteriors which includes new front bumper, redesigned grille and fog lamps. Cashing the football fever around the football World Cup, the company also introduced the Chevrolet Beat Manchester United Limited Editions. To entice new customers in the festive month, automaker introduced the facelift versions of its Sail sedan and Sail hatch. Available in both the fuel trims, the diesel model houses the 1.3-litre SDE SMARTECH turbocharged CRDE engine that produces power of 74 bhp while the petrol features 1.2 litre SMARTECH engine that churns an output of 85 bhp.

BMW X3

BMW India launched the facelift version of X3 xDrive20d Expedition model Rs 44.90 lac while X3 xDrive20d xLine is priced at Rs 49.90 lac. The new BMW X3 adorns exterior updates such as chrome grille, redesigned bigger twin-circular headlamps, revised front and rear bumper, new taillamp cluster and new sporty alloy wheel design.

Maruti Suzuki Swift

The first facelift from the house of Maruti Suzuki in year 2014 came in the form of updated Swift. Priced at Rs 4.42 lac, the refreshed Swift featured push start button, reverse parking assistant, new front profile, premium interiors and higher fuel efficiency by 10 per cent. It also gets 3 exciting new colors as Mysterious Violet, Fire Red and Granite Gray.

Fiat Linea

Fiat after a wait of 5 years launched the facelifted Linea. The 2014 Linea priced at Rs 6.99 lac features a new fascia with two new bar grille, redesigned front bumpers and ORVMs with side indicators. The interior embraces Bluetooth connectivity from Microsoft’s Blue & Me, leather seats, dual airbags, all disc brakes, rain sensing wipers, automatic headlamps and even the cruise control. The engine option remains the same, with 1.4-litre petrol and 1.3-litre diesel engine.

Nissan Sunny

With most of the changes limited to exterior part, Nissan rolled the Sunny facelift at Rs 6.99 lac. With no mechanical changes, the car from Japanese manufacturer is available with 1.5-litre petrol engine mated to manual or CVT transmission and 1.5-litre diesel with a manual transmission.

Apart from the listed facelifts, manufacturers like Tata and Mitsubishi respectively launched the updated Aria and Pajero Sport AWD. In the upcoming year 2015, we expect Indian auto sector will witness facelifts of cars like Maruti Suzuki Swift DZire, Maruti Ertiga, Hyundai Elantra, Tata Safari, Maruti WagonR Stingray with AMT, Volkswagen Jetta and Toyota Camry among many others. 

Read More on : Renault Duster